Cigarroa offers vision for new Valley university

Updated 10:59 pm, Thursday, October 24, 2013

State Rep. Terry Canales (left) talks with University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa during the town hall meeting at UTPA in Edinburg.

State Rep. Terry Canales (left) talks with University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa during the town hall meeting at UTPA in Edinburg.

Photo: Gabe Hernandez / Monitor

Cigarroa offers vision for new Valley university

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EDINBURG — University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco Cigarroa said Thursday that a search committee to name the first president of a new South Texas university has already identified a few “remarkable” candidates and should have a decision by early next year.

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“He really pushes his idea that they are listening to us, so I hope that remains the case,” said Matthew Garcia, who is studying biology and political science and hopes to attend medical school after he graduates next year. “I liked what he had to say. I just hope now that what he says is going to be fact in the future.”

Cigarroa offered a grand vision for the university that will stretch across the Rio Grande Valley and be eligible for the first time to draw from the Permanent University Fund, a source of money for construction and programs.

Education saves lives, said Cigarroa, who is originally from Laredo.

When asked what the analytical process behind the branding strategy for the university would be, he admitted to being stumped.

“I don't have all the answers for that one,” he said, “I'm just a surgeon.”